Carpet care should involve more than just regular vacuuming and spot cleaning. Carpet absorbs more than just soil. It also absorbs oil and debris. The oils come from cooking vapors, from feet and pets to name just a few. It is important if you want to keep your carpets fresh and clean that you follow these simple carpet cleaning tips.

A deep clean of your carpets should be done at least once a year. If you have a lot of people living in your house, then twice a year is best. A proper clean ensures that the oily film does not build up and start discoloring your carpets. It is ideal to hire a professional carpet cleaner as they will know which type of cleaning is best for your carpet and they also have all of the right machinery to get the job done effectively.

Rugs placed strategically around your home will also help reduce your carpet cleaning time. Place mats outside and inside of all entrances to catch as much dirt off shoes and feet as possible. Also rugs or mats in high traffic areas will help to reduce the spread of dirt around the house and onto carpets.

Attend to spills and stains as quickly as possible. Always make sure you clean the stain from the outside in, so as not to spread the stain further. Make sure the carpet is completely dried after cleaning and that all residue is also removed. Any residue left will only attract more dirt.

Regular vacuuming is also vital. Excessive sand and dirt can actually damage the fibers of your carpet. Once these fibers are damaged the carpet will actually stain more easily and be harder to clean. Regular vacuuming with a quality vacuum cleaner will help your carpet last longer and also keep dust levels to a minimum.

If your carpet is at the point that vacuuming no longer seems to be producing a proper clean, then it may be time to consider carpet cleaning. You can either do it yourself, by renting a machine or you can hire a professional carpet cleaner. This article discusses the pro and cons of these two options.

If you decide to clean your carpets yourself, you will need to rent a machine to do the job. Some machines include the chemicals needed, whereas others require you to purchase the chemicals separately. From there you will also need to get the machine home, read the instructions and set up the machine correctly before you actually clean anything at all.

A professional carpet cleaner will have a cleaning machine that is generally more effective then the ones that you hire from department stores. They also know how to use their machines effectively, which means the cleaning is done much quicker.

Another positive for professional carpet cleaners is the fact that they are trained in their field. They know from inspecting your carpet, exactly what it is made of and therefore the correct cleaning method for it. They are also trained in stain removal, so the chances of them being able to remove even the
most ingrained stains is much higher.

Other advantages for cleaning your carpets yourself, are that your own standards will be met. Sometimes home owners standards are higher than the people we employ to fix things in our homes. Also, when moving furniture around you will probably take a bit more care than a service person may.

From a price perspective, the amount you spend either way may actually be very similar. The carpet cleaning market is competitive and there are plenty of companies out there, stopping prices for carpet cleaning from becoming out of reach for the average home owner. By the time you drive to the shops, hire the machine and buy the detergent you may just have spent about the same as you would have if you had hired someone. It is only when there are extras involved that hiring a professional carpet cleaner might cost more than doing it yourself

It is extremely important if you want to prolong the life of your carpet and reduce your carpet cleaning workload, that you clean any spills or stains on your carpet or rug straight away. This article discusses the best ways to remove carpet stains.

First of all it is important to have the right carpet cleaning stain product in your cleaning supplies stock. Years ago, there were different products for different types of stains such as grease removers etc. Many quality stain removers are now able to clean most types of stains. Just check to make sure that it is compatible with your type of carpet. For example, often wool carpets may require a different type of cleaner. Always spot test your product in an inconspicuous place.

When a spill happens, remove as much excess as possible, always working inwards. If you blot the stain outwards, it could possibly spread the stain further. From there, follow the directions on the stain remover product. Some products require a drying time, and then a vacuum, whilst others need the area to be rinsed thoroughly with water to clear off any residue. Any remaining residue from the product you are using could actually contribute to further soiling, as this residue can act as a magnet for dirt.

Remember, the quicker you can attend to the stain, the easier it should be to remove it. Otherwise, the stain becomes ingrained, and only a professional cleaner will be able to remove the offending spot.

It is always important to clean carpet properly and any remaining chemicals be fully removed. If you do hire a professional cleaner, it may be worth considering a stain prevention chemical being added as well. This will help make any future stain emergencies a lot easier to clean. The extra cost would definitely be worth the investment.